05-04-2011, 05:04 PM
I m pretty sure that at least twice, byzantine emperors tried to import the forgiveness of sins for soldiers who fell in battle in the Orthodox faith.
The first attempt was during Nicephorus Phocas reign (10th cent) and the second during the Nicean empire.(13th cent)
These attempts were obviously influenced by Jihad and the Crusades but both failed due to the strong opposition by the Orthodox church which rejected them as non canonic and anti-christianic.
On the other hand Bishop (and saint)Basil in the 4th century advised the soldiers to fest, pray and ask for forgiveness for 3 years when they killed an enemy at battle (!!!)
The first attempt was during Nicephorus Phocas reign (10th cent) and the second during the Nicean empire.(13th cent)
These attempts were obviously influenced by Jihad and the Crusades but both failed due to the strong opposition by the Orthodox church which rejected them as non canonic and anti-christianic.
On the other hand Bishop (and saint)Basil in the 4th century advised the soldiers to fest, pray and ask for forgiveness for 3 years when they killed an enemy at battle (!!!)
